I once picked up my phone, expecting a quick unlock with my fingerprint, only to find that the sensor wasn’t responding at all. No matter how many times I tried, it wouldn’t recognize my fingerprint. At first, I thought my hands were dirty, but even after cleaning them, the issue persisted. I eventually had to troubleshoot the problem step by step before I found the real cause—a system update had disabled the sensor.
If your fingerprint sensor is not working on your Android device, don’t worry. This is a common issue caused by software glitches, dirty sensors, incorrect settings, or even hardware malfunctions. In this guide, we’ll walk through detailed step-by-step fixes to get your fingerprint scanner working again.
Understanding the Issue
Before applying fixes, it’s essential to understand why your fingerprint sensor isn’t working.
Possible Causes:
- Dirty or smudged sensor affecting recognition.
- Software glitches or bugs after an update.
- Corrupt fingerprint data stored in the system.
- Battery saver mode disabling the fingerprint scanner.
- Hardware failure due to physical damage.
Now, let’s go through the most effective step-by-step solutions.
Fixes for ‘Fingerprint Sensor Not Working’ on Android
1. Clean the Fingerprint Sensor and Your Fingers
Tools Needed: Microfiber cloth, rubbing alcohol (optional)
Steps:
- Gently wipe the fingerprint sensor with a dry microfiber cloth.
- If the sensor is greasy or smudged, lightly dampen the cloth with rubbing alcohol and clean it.
- Dry the sensor completely before trying again.
- Wash and dry your hands to remove sweat, oil, or moisture that might interfere with recognition.
Why This Works:
A dirty sensor can fail to read fingerprints accurately, causing repeated failures.
2. Restart Your Phone
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Press and hold the power button until the restart option appears.
- Select Restart and wait for the device to reboot.
- Try using the fingerprint sensor again.
Why This Works:
A simple restart can clear temporary glitches affecting the fingerprint sensor.
3. Re-Register Your Fingerprints
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings and go to Biometrics & Security.
- Tap on Fingerprint (enter your PIN if prompted).
- Delete all previously saved fingerprints.
- Tap Add fingerprint and follow the on-screen instructions to re-register your fingerprint.
Why This Works:
If the stored fingerprint data is corrupt or outdated, re-registering ensures a fresh scan for accurate recognition.
4. Disable and Re-Enable Fingerprint Unlock
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > Biometrics & Security.
- Tap on Fingerprint Unlock and disable it.
- Restart your phone.
- Go back to settings and enable Fingerprint Unlock again.
Why This Works:
Turning off and re-enabling the fingerprint sensor forces the system to refresh its biometric settings.
5. Check for Software Updates
Tools Needed: Internet connection
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Software Update.
- Tap Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, download and install it.
- Restart your phone and test the fingerprint sensor.
Why This Works:
Some updates fix bugs affecting biometric sensors. Updating ensures you’re running the latest firmware.
6. Turn Off Battery Saver Mode
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > Battery.
- If Battery Saver Mode is enabled, turn it off.
- Restart your phone and test the fingerprint sensor.
Why This Works:
Battery Saver Mode limits background processes, which can disable the fingerprint sensor to save power.
7. Boot Into Safe Mode (Check for App Conflicts)
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
- Press and hold the “Power Off” option until you see Safe Mode pop up.
- Tap OK to restart in Safe Mode.
- Try using the fingerprint sensor. If it works, a third-party app is causing the issue.
- Restart your phone to exit Safe Mode and uninstall recently installed apps that might be causing conflicts.
Why This Works:
Some apps interfere with the fingerprint sensor’s functionality. Safe Mode helps identify if an app is causing the problem.
8. Reset Fingerprint Sensor Permissions
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Tap the three dots at the top and select Show system apps.
- Find and select Fingerprint Service or Biometric Services.
- Tap Storage and then Clear Cache & Clear Data.
- Restart your phone.
Why This Works:
Clearing biometric service data resets fingerprint-related system settings.
9. Reset All Settings (Without Data Loss)
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Go to Settings > General Management > Reset.
- Select Reset All Settings (this won’t delete your data).
- Confirm and restart your phone.
Why This Works:
Resets misconfigured settings that might be affecting the fingerprint sensor.
10. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Tools Needed: Backup Storage
Steps:
- Backup your important data.
- Go to Settings > General Management > Reset.
- Select Factory Data Reset and follow the on-screen instructions.
- After resetting, reconfigure your fingerprint settings.
Why This Works:
A factory reset eliminates deep software glitches that standard fixes can’t resolve.
Pros and Cons of Each Fix
| Fix | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning the sensor | Quick and easy | Won’t fix software issues |
| Restarting the phone | Fixes temporary glitches | May not solve deeper problems |
| Re-registering fingerprints | Resets fingerprint recognition | Requires setting up fingerprints again |
| Checking for software updates | Fixes known bugs | Requires internet access |
| Turning off Battery Saver | Restores full sensor functionality | Uses more battery |
| Booting into Safe Mode | Identifies conflicting apps | Requires restarting |
| Clearing fingerprint data cache | Refreshes biometric services | Requires setting up fingerprints again |
| Resetting all settings | Fixes misconfigured settings | Might reset preferences |
| Factory reset | Fixes major software issues | Erases all data |
Conclusion
If your fingerprint sensor is not working, start with the simplest fixes like cleaning the sensor, restarting the phone, and re-registering fingerprints. If that doesn’t work, check for software updates, disable battery saver mode, or clear fingerprint service data.
For persistent issues, boot into Safe Mode to check for app conflicts, reset all settings, or perform a factory reset as a last resort.
Did these solutions help? Let us know in the comments!
